TECH

Samsung's AI fridges will soon order groceries for you via Instacart integration

How much automation is too much? Premium Samsung refrigerators already offer impressive features, like tracking the expiration dates of food items both inside and outside the fridge. Now, they're taken it a step further by assisting with grocery shopping.

Samsung has announced a multi-year partnership with online grocery delivery service Instacart, aiming to bring seamless and convenient grocery shopping directly to your kitchen.

Starting with Samsung's 2025 Bespoke refrigerator models – including the 32-inch AI Family Hub+ and the new 9-inch AI Home – users will be able to restock their favorite grocery items effortlessly through Instacart's service. This integration leverages Samsung's proprietary AI Vision Inside food recognition technology alongside Instacart's product-matching API.

AI Vision Inside utilizes cameras installed inside the refrigerator to monitor its contents and track items running low. The system can identify up to 37 commonly purchased food items, with a particular focus on fruits and vegetables.

As items start running low, the refrigerator's screen will provide suggestions via Instacart's service. Users can review these suggestions, add needed items to their cart, and place an order – all without ever picking up their phone.

It's important to note that users must still approve actual purchases – the AI simply adds items to the list for consideration.

This feature marks a significant upgrade from previous Samsung models, which required users to manually track their food inventory using the Samsung Food app before sending items to Instacart.

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, the Samsung Food app remains available on both smartphones and refrigerators, allowing users to manually manage their grocery lists.

"We've all dreamt of a refrigerator that could replenish itself, and now thanks to this partnership with Samsung, that's no longer the stuff of science fiction," said Daniel Danker, chief product officer at Instacart.

The Instacart integration for Samsung's AI-powered refrigerators will roll out later this year through a firmware update, with existing AI Family Hub+ units also set to receive the upgrade.

Still, one can't help but wonder: what if the next innovation automates restocking entirely? Imagine a robot smart enough to pick up deliveries and arrange them neatly in the fridge. Coming home to a fully replenished vegetable tray after a long workday would truly redefine effortless dinner prep.

mundophone